The Luck of the Darrells; A Novel Volume 2

Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 edition. Excerpt: ...sky was dark and lowering; the wind from the firs behind the Castle made monotonous moan: it seemed like the dirge of her hopes. CHAPTER XIII. MRS. BERTRAM. THOUGH Maria's engagement to Captain Drake took place early in November, it was arranged that their marriage should be deferred till the spring. The delay was principally owing to Sir Abraham; he had never encouraged the Captain's addresses to his daughter, though he had not opposed them; it was his private opinion that Maria might have done a great deal better for herself, and also for him. It was true that he would thus attach to himself so much of the Drake interest as was independent of strong party feeling. No voter who had a respect for the family would go against the Captain's father-in-law, unless he was a vehement Tory; and in Shingleton, as in all small constituencies, personal considerations were more powerful than political views. But the young man was penniless, and would at best be but a baronet, whereas Maria, if she had played her cards well, might with the trumps she held have won a much higher stake in the game of matrimony. In this matter, however, he had been overborne by his wife from the first, and having tacitly submitted to her views could hardly refuse his consent to a proposition which had been so long a foregone conclusion. It was less by way of protest, therefore, than to exhibit his independence, and also to keep his daughter with him as long as possible, that Sir Abraham stickled for "time." To this plan Lady Barton vehemently opposed herself, but for once in vain. The usual arguments against a long engagement could hardly apply to one of six months, while that very forcible one founded upon the proverb about the slip between...show more